Communist Repression of Religion in Bulgaria

The Deadly Attack on Sveta Nedelya Cathedral

One of the most shocking examples of the Communist Party’s attitude toward religion happened on 16 April 1925. On that day, a bomb exploded inside Sveta Nedelya Cathedral in Sofia. The cathedral was packed with people attending a funeral service. The explosion killed 213 people and injured over 500 men, women, and children. It was a brutal act carried out by communists to eliminate members of the Bulgarian government and military leadership.

Religious Leaders Executed After the Communist Coup

After the communist coup on 9 September 1944, the new regime began a violent purge of anyone considered a threat—including religious leaders. Many priests were killed without trial, simply for preaching or performing religious services. More than 100 Christian Orthodox priests were executed during these early days Istanbul Day Trip.

Other religious figures also fell victim to the regime’s persecution. Among the murdered were:
Rabbi Isaac B. Levi (Jewish)
Muslim cleric Mohamed Rashidov
Armenian-Gregorian priest Garabed S. Karadzhiyan
Protestant pastor Stephan Todorov
Their only crime was being faithful to their beliefs and traditions.

The Religion Act of 1949

On 16 February 1949, the Communist government passed a new Religion Act, modeled after Soviet laws. This Act placed strict control over all religious organizations. It included:

Banning religious services outside church buildings

Confiscating church property

Prohibiting religious education and activities

Even private individuals were punished for their faith. Students were expelled from school for attending church services. Government employees risked losing their jobs if they were seen in a church.

The Trial of Protestant Pastors

From 25 February to 9 March 1949, the regime conducted a staged trial against 15 Protestant pastors. The charges were false, and the trial was heavily publicized to scare others. Four of the pastors were sentenced to life in prison, even though they had committed no real crimes.

Execution of Catholic Clergy

On 11 November 1952, at 11:30 PM, four Catholic religious leaders were executed by firing squad in Sofia Central Prison. Those killed were:

Father Kamen Vichev

Father Pavel Dzhidzhov

Father Yosafat Shishkov

Bishop Evgeni Bosilkov, a Bulgarian Passionist and Catholic bishop

They had all been sentenced to death in unfair trials. Their executions shocked the international community and remain a tragic moment in Bulgarian religious history.

Forced Name Changes for Muslims

In 1984, the Bulgarian Communist Party began a forced assimilation campaign targeting Bulgarian Muslims. The government forced Muslim citizens to change their names to Slavic ones, erasing their religious and cultural identity. This campaign caused deep pain and resentment among Muslim communities.

Religious Leaders Turned Into Informants

Alongside public repression, the Bulgarian secret police worked behind the scenes. They pressured and sometimes blackmailed religious leaders into becoming informers. These clergy members were forced to report on their fellow believers, creating an atmosphere of fear and mistrust within religious communities.

Under the communist regime, freedom of religion in Bulgaria was almost completely destroyed. Religious leaders were persecuted, imprisoned, or executed. Believers were silenced and humiliated. Churches were stripped of their property, and religious practices were driven underground. The government’s goal was not just to control religion, but to erase it from Bulgarian life. Despite these efforts, many people quietly kept their faith alive, showing incredible courage in the face of fear.